Lazarus House Ministries
Press Release
Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Lazarus House Celebrates 20th Anniversary at Sharing Our Bounty Fall Dinner / Honoring Christ the Servant Recipients

On Friday, November 21, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wyndham Andover Hotel, Lazarus House will celebrate their 20th Anniversary of serving the poor at their Annual Fall Fundraiser Dinner, "Sharing Our Bounty."

Lazarus House will present three "Christ the Servant" Awards to volunteers, whose unselfish acts and generosity help ease the pain and suffering of those who are poor. This year’s honorees are: Eisai Research Institute of Andover, David & Karen Giangrande and their four children, all of Andover, and Jim & Carol Furneaux of Carlisle, MA. (See attached biographies).

Benoit Thibault, President of Tibo Lumber and Yvon Cormier, President of Yvon Cormier Construction are the evening co-chairs. Neal F. Finnegan, chairman of Citizens Bank of Massachusetts will act as Honorary Chair. Emmy Award winning reporter, Amalia Barreda of WCVB-TV Channel 5 and long-time friend of Lazarus House, will be the Master of Ceremonies.

A selection of silent and live auction items featured for the event are:

• Mt. Tremblant vacation in a luxury two bedroom condo at the beautiful five star Westin Hotel in the Province of Quebec, Canada.
• Super-inclusive, SuperClub vacation to Jamaica at the Grand Lido Braco Resort
• Andover Country Club Golf Outing and Dinner for 12
• Personalized Krispy Kreme Donut Delivery
• Plus much, much more!

For more information about the event, please call Lana Schofield at 978-269-5206 or email at Lana@lazarushouse.org.
Thank you.

Bios and Lazarus House Fact Sheet

Carol and Jim Furneaux, Carlisle
Carol and Jim Furneaux (right) were both born and raised in Lawrence and as high school sweethearts, they graduated from Lawrence High School Class of 1961. Jim is the son of Henry and Anne Furneaux and Carol is the daughter of Reverend E. Leslie and Marjorie Shaw.

It was in honor of Carol’s Dad, pastor of the United Congregational Church (at the corner of Warren and Haverhill Streets), that Jim and Carol initiated a scholarship program for Lazarus House guests, presenting them with an incredible opportunity of a higher education. Through their generosity, that scholarship boasts its very first program completion and now, a beautiful family is on its way to a much brighter future.

Carol, a graduate of Westminster College, has pursued her love of music as a teacher, soprano soloist, choir director, pianist and show director. She started the Links Program for the Mental Health Association in Concord, a post drug and alcohol treatment program, to help support teens and their families. She also co-chaired the search committee for a pastor on behalf of their Acton Congregational Church community. Carol, along with her husband Jim, is the Co-chair for Lazarus House’s Annual Hike for Hope, which helps raise money for our "Bringing the Homeless Home" Transitional Housing Program.

Jim, after graduating from Northeastern, serving five years in the Air Force, and attaining an MBA from Dartmouth, spent ten years on Wall Street. He has founded several high tech companies including Kodiak Venture Partners. He is a member of the corporation of Northeastern University and serves on the executive committee for the Private Equity Center at Dartmouth’s Tuck School. Jim is a past president of the Board of Directors for Lazarus House and continues to serve as a director and active member of several committees.

Although they have moved from the city, their hearts have never left Lawrence or its people. This wonderful, loving couple makes time to bless God’s children in need. Jim and Carol are always there with whatever is needed even before we ask. At Carol’s recent birthday celebration, surrounded by friends and family, guests were asked not to bring a gift for Carol, but to donate to Lazarus House so that the children who reside there, could have a new homework room. We are blessed to honor them with the Christ the Servant Award.

Jim and Carol have four adult children, Sandy, Jim, Dave and Steve and take time to enjoy and dote on their five beautiful grandchildren.

The Giangrande Family, Andover
Our relationship with Lazarus House began over five years ago when our son, Peter, was turning one. Rather than have our party guests bring gifts for him, we asked them to bring an article of new clothing for a child in need that we would take to Lazarus House. We have repeated the idea with all four of our children ever since.

A little over three years ago, on the afternoon of Kristina's eighth birthday, the children were excitedly carrying the bags of clothing one at a time into Lazarus House. The volunteer coordinator happened upon us and kindly asked us if we would like to take a tour of the house.

It was a tour the children and I will never forget. We began our drive home and at first it was a quiet ride. Then the questions began and clearly the children understood what having a home – and not having a home – meant. They suddenly understood that having the basics in life - food, clothing, warmth and love - is not a given. We talked about how Lazarus House provides those basic services to those in need and that those services are at the heart of our Christian faith. Christ asked that we love one another as He loved us. We feel that love each and every time we are at Lazarus House.

Our tour was a pivotal moment in sparking the "Winter Warmth Project...For Kids, By Kids," which Kristina started three years ago to help keep Lawrence school children warm and healthy during the winter months. As we delivered the winter warmth items to the various Lawrence schools, my children were told countless stories of the harsh realities many of these children face on a daily basis.

The stories were disturbing but made our children's desire to do more even stronger. Liza insisted there must be more we could do at Lazarus House, and we began serving dinner once a month as a result. It is a night we look forward to each and every month and always feel we get so much more out of it than we give. We are honored when they ask us to come and bake cookies for special events or wrap Christmas presents or participate in the Holy Thursday liturgy. We are grateful to have the opportunity to deliver food to those who are less fortunate so, they too, can share a bountiful Thanksgiving meal.

We are deeply humbled by the devotion of the staff at Lazarus House who is so committed to its ministry of serving those in need. We are deeply touched by the graciousness and gratitude and courageous spirit of the guests we feel fortunate to serve each month. In the people we serve and work alongside at Lazarus House, we see and feel the light, love and compassion of Christ. We do believe that the staff and the guests are the true exoneration of "Christ the Servant." We are privileged to be associated with both.

Eisai Research Institute, Andover, MA
Eisai Research Institute is the center of U.S. research and development for Japan’s fourth largest pharmaceutical company, Eisai Co., Ltd. Eisai’s global research and development efforts are focused in several therapeutic areas, including central nervous system, oncology, gastrointestinal, and inflammatory diseases.

As part of its corporate philosophy, Eisai has established a Human Health Care (hhc) mission statement.

"Eisai Research Institute dedicates its resources to promoting the well-being of the patients, their families, our community and employees by raising awareness of vital issues through events and encouraging volunteer support. We continue to focus our efforts to support and encourage the Human Health Care concept. We are dedicated as an organization, and we will make a difference."

To that end, Eisai staff members regularly support a broad range of community services, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Make a Wish Foundation, Merrimack Valley Hospice, Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen, and Lazarus House.

Eisai staff generously prepare meals at our Good Shepherd Center several times a month, hold food drives and have been a Hike for Hope Top Ten pledge and company-matched funds contributor for the past two years for our Hike for Hope. It is due to their outstanding commitment to help those in need, that we are honored to present them with the Christ the Servant Award.

Lazarus House Facts

Lazarus House offers hope and a helping hand to those seeking a new beginning. Lazarus House helps the homeless and nearly homeless by providing hot meals, temporary shelter, job training, childcare, emergency food, clothing, outreach and advocacy.

• Feeds up to 175 people a day at the Good Shepherd Center
• Provides services to over 8,000 a month
• Distributes over 2,000 boxes of food for needy families during the holiday season
• Provides a free medical and dental clinic
• Volunteers donate over 1,500 hours each week

Lazarus House Ministries, Inc., spiritually based, welcomes all in the name of God. It provides a continuum of care encompassing but not limited to: food, shelter, clothing, advocacy, job training, free medical and dental care, a listening ear, a welcoming heart, the restoration of dignity and self respect to the poor and needy. Guests are empowered to move beyond poverty and crisis to become productive members of their community.